Beer contributes to weight gain and changes in the appearance of the abdomen, raises levels of female hormones, stimulates appetite, and increases cravings for unhealthy foods. These are all consequences of beer abuse. But is there anything beneficial in this frothy drink?
What amount of beer should be consumed to avoid harming your health?
Doctors warn that there is no safe dose of alcohol for health. The best step is to completely refrain from strong drinks. However, if you’re still not ready to say goodbye to beer, follow these simple rules:
- Try to limit yourself to 1-2 glasses per week.
- Never drink beer on an empty stomach.
- Avoid fatty, fried, or simple carbohydrate-rich foods as snacks.
What are the negative aspects of beer?
Beer contains plant estrogens, also known as phytoestrogens — natural plant compounds that resemble estrogen, the female sex hormone. Phytoestrogens in beer are present as isoflavones, especially in hops, which is one of the main ingredients of beer.
The effect of phytoestrogens from beer on the male body is not fully understood, and experts’ opinions are divided. Some studies show that phytoestrogens in beer may negatively affect male health.
- Reduced testosterone levels: Uncontrolled and frequent consumption of beer can lead to a decrease in testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. This can negatively impact sexual function, mood, muscle mass, and bone density.
- Hormonal imbalance: The phytoestrogens in beer can affect the hormonal balance in both men and women, leading to an increase in estrogen levels, the female sex hormone. This can cause hormonal imbalance in men and negatively affect their health.
- Gynecomastia: Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in men, which can lead to the formation of “male breasts.” This risk can also occur in women. Phytoestrogens in beer can increase the risk of developing gynecomastia in men.
However, it should be noted that the effect of phytoestrogens from beer on the male body requires further research, and this may be negligible or unnoticed when beer is consumed moderately. Regular and moderate beer consumption, without abuse, is unlikely to cause serious negative health consequences for men.
What are the benefits of beer?
- Protects against tooth decay and gum disease: Beer acts as an antibacterial mouthwash that destroys harmful bacteria in the mouth. This helps remove harmful plaque that is damaging not only to the teeth and gums but also to the heart.
- Reduces the risk of age-related vision loss: A study with 3654 participants, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, showed that those who drank beer regularly were 50% less likely to develop cataracts. Researchers believe the reason is the antioxidants found in beer.
- Reduces the risk of diabetes: On one hand, beer consumption leads to weight gain, which increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory properties of beer serve as natural protection against the disease. Drinking 2-4 glasses of beer a week reduces the risk of diabetes by 30%.
- Protects the kidneys: Drinking one glass of beer a day reduces the risk of kidney stones by 41%. This conclusion was reached by researchers from the American Nephrology Association. They believe this may be due to the diuretic effect of beer.
- Helps fight arthritis: Drinking 3-4 glasses of beer a week reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis by a third. This is proven by a study involving 1.9 million participants, published in the journal “Arthritis and Rheumatology.” Researchers attribute this to the anti-inflammatory properties of alcohol.
